FIFA has stirred things up again. Two days before the match between Argentina and Egypt in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, the governing body of world football surprised everyone by appointing the main referee: Frenchman François Letexier. The news came as a cold shower for the Albiceleste camp, which is already eyeing the recent history between Argentina and France, two powerhouses that are shaping up as title contenders.
Letexier, 37, an international referee since 2017, will face his third match in this World Cup. Previously, he officiated Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador and Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia. In both matches, he showed eight yellow cards, four per game, revealing a tendency not to forgive infractions. Will he be equally strict with the Albiceleste?
The French referee arrives with an impressive resume: he officiated the Euro 2024 final and the 2026 Europa League final. He also participated in the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States. But what worries most is his nationality: France and Argentina have had a heated rivalry since the 2022 World Cup final, and any controversial decision could fuel the fire.
The officiating team is completed by Frenchmen Cyril Mugnier (assistant 1) and Mehdi Rahmouni (assistant 2). Norwegians Espen Eskas and Isaak Bashevkin will serve as fourth and fifth officials. FIFA has not yet confirmed those in charge of VAR, which generates more uncertainty.
So far, Letexier has not been involved in major scandals in the World Cup, but his tendency to show yellows could complicate things for players like Rodrigo De Paul or Leandro Paredes, known for their intense play. In his two appearances, he booked Kessie, Fofana, Doué, Porozo, Wagner Piña, Abdulhamid, Al-Dawsari, and Al-Buraikan. Will he be equally harsh with Messi and company?
The match will be played on Tuesday, July 7 at 1:00 PM (Argentina time) at the Atlanta stadium. Broadcast will be handled by Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports, and DSports, and it will also be available online via MiTelefe, TV Pública on YouTube, TyC Sports Play, DGO, Telecentro Play, and Personal Flow.
Meanwhile, Lionel Scaloni’s team already has the starting eleven in mind: Emiliano «Dibu» Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Gonzalo Montiel or Giuliano Simeone; Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández or Giovani Lo Celso, Nicolás González; Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martínez or Julián Álvarez. Can they overcome the Egyptian hurdle with a French referee? The controversy is served.
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para mi esto es una jodida, como ponen a un franchute ladri como letejier? seguro los kukas arreglaron todo con la fifa, nos van a robar como siempre. vamoo argentina carajo, la concha de la lora!!
Para mí esto es una provocación directa de la FIFA, ¿cómo ponen a un francés? Claramente quieren que nos eliminen, Letexier nos va a robar como siempre. Yo creo que es un plan para que Argentina no avance, pero vamos a ganarles a estos vendepatrias igual. La copa es nuestra, carajo! ✊🇦🇷